2019 Vuelta a España
The 2019 Vuelta a España was the 74th edition of the three-week Grand Tour cycling race, contested from 24 August to 15 September across Spain, Andorra, and France.[1] The event comprised 21 stages covering a total of 3,291.4 kilometres, including one team time trial, nine flat or hilly stages suited to sprinters, and eight mountain stages with summit finishes—five of which were new to the race.[2] It began with a 13.4-kilometre team time trial in Salinas de Torrevieja on the Costa Blanca and concluded with a traditional flat procession into Madrid.[2] Slovenian rider Primož Roglič of Team Jumbo–Visma won the general classification (GC) in a total time of 83 hours, 7 minutes, and 14 seconds, securing his first Grand Tour victory and becoming the first Slovenian to win one of cycling's three major stage races.[3][4] Roglič also claimed the points classification jersey with 155 points, earned through consistent high placings and three stage wins, while Frenchman Geoffrey Bouchard of AG2R La Mondiale took the mountains classification for his aggressive climbing on the race's toughest ascents.[5][6] Fellow Slovenian Tadej Pogačar of UAE Team Emirates, aged 20, finished third overall at 2 minutes and 55 seconds behind Roglič and won the best young rider classification, marking a breakout performance that included three stage victories.[3][5] Spain's Alejandro Valverde of Movistar Team placed second in the GC, 2 minutes and 33 seconds back, helping his team secure the team classification.[3][5] The race featured 22 teams, including all 18 UCI WorldTeams and four UCI Professional Continental teams, with 176 riders starting the event. Key contenders included pre-race favorites Nairo Quintana and Valverde of Movistar, as well as Roglič, who built his lead through strong time-trial performances and mountain stages like the summit finish at La Cubilla on stage 16. Notable moments included Pogačar's solo victory on the gravel-surfaced Coll d'Engolasters in Andorra during stage 9 and a dramatic stage 10 time trial where Roglič extended his advantage.[7] The Vuelta's demanding route, with over 59 categorized climbs, emphasized climbing prowess and recovery, culminating in Roglič's dominant defense of the red jersey on the final weekend.[8]Overview
Event details
The 2019 Vuelta a España, the 74th edition of the Spanish Grand Tour, took place from 24 August to 15 September 2019, comprising 21 stages over 23 days including two rest days.[2] The race covered a total distance of 3,272.2 kilometres, starting with a team time trial in Torrevieja on the Costa Blanca and concluding with a flat stage in Madrid.[2] Primarily routed through Spain, the event also ventured into Andorra for a mountainous queen stage and briefly into France for stage 10 and the start of stage 11 in Saint-Palais.[2] Organised by Unipublic under race director Javier Guillén, the Vuelta attracted 22 teams, each with eight riders, for a total of 176 participants at the start.[9][10] The route design emphasised the Vuelta's reputation for dramatic terrain, featuring five flat stages suited to sprinters, seven hilly stages likely to produce breakaways, one team time trial, one individual time trial, and seven mountain stages that included eight summit finishes—five of which were new to the race.[2][11] These summit finishes, spread across both weeks with a concentration in the challenging Pyrenees and other Iberian ranges, tested climbers early and often, contributing to the race's intensity.[2] The individual time trial, held after the first rest day, spanned 36.2 kilometres through undulating terrain in southwestern France, providing a key opportunity for general classification contenders to gain or lose significant time.[12] Overall, Primož Roglič of Team Jumbo–Visma claimed victory in the general classification, marking the first Spanish Grand Tour win for his team.[3] The event's logistical scope, combining coastal starts, high-altitude challenges, and urban finales, underscored its role as a climactic end to the men's professional cycling season.[2]Classifications and jerseys
The 2019 Vuelta a España featured five main classifications, each with distinct scoring criteria and associated leader's jerseys worn during the race, in addition to a daily combativity award. These classifications determined the overall leaders based on time, points accumulated from sprints and finishes, mountain efforts, youth performance, and team results, following the specific regulations set by the organizers Unipublic and aligned with UCI guidelines.[13] The general classification (GC), symbolized by the red jersey (maillot rojo), was awarded to the rider with the lowest cumulative time across all stages, incorporating time bonuses of 10, 6, and 4 seconds for the first three finishers on non-time-trial stages (excluding stages 1 and 10), as well as any penalties applied. Ties were resolved first by the hundredths of a second recorded in individual time trials, then by the sum of stage placings, and finally by the placing in the final stage.[13] The points classification, marked by the green jersey (maillot verde), rewarded consistent performance in sprints and stage finishes, with points awarded to the top 15 riders at the end of each stage (25 points for first, 20 for second, 16 for third, and decreasing to 1 for 15th) and at intermediate sprints (4, 2, and 1 points for the top three). These allocations could vary slightly based on stage profile, but the emphasis was on flat and hilly terrains favoring sprinters. Ties were broken by the number of stage wins, followed by intermediate sprint wins, and then position in the general classification.[13] The mountains classification, represented by the white jersey with blue polka dots (maillot de la montaña), assigned points to riders summiting categorized climbs first, with higher rewards for more difficult ascents; for example, category 1 climbs offered 10, 6, 4, and 2 points to the top four riders, while special category climbs like the Cima Alberto Fernández awarded up to 20 points to the leader. Points scaled down for lower categories (e.g., 5 points for first on category 2). Ties were decided by the best placing on the highest categorized climb (starting with the Cima Alberto Fernández, then special, category 1, and so on), with the general classification used as the final tiebreaker.[13] The young rider classification, denoted by the white jersey (maillot blanco), was given to the highest-placed rider in the general classification who was born on or after January 1, 1994 (under 25 years old at the race's start), using the same time-based scoring as the GC. Ties followed the general classification tiebreakers.[13] The team classification aggregated the times of each team's three best-placed riders per stage to determine the lowest cumulative total, with no jersey awarded but the leading team wearing red bibs on their jerseys; teams finishing a stage with fewer than three riders were excluded from that day's calculation. Ties were resolved by the number of stage wins by the team, then the sum of placings across stages, and finally the best individual GC position among team members.[13] In addition to these, a combativity award recognized aggressive riding, with a jury selecting three candidates per stage (1-20) for public voting via digital platforms; the winner received a red number bib for the next stage, highlighting their fighting spirit. At the race's conclusion, a super-combativity award honored the most combative rider overall, as selected by the race director.[13]Teams
UCI WorldTeams
The 18 UCI WorldTeams received automatic invitations to the 2019 Vuelta a España as per UCI regulations, comprising AG2R La Mondiale, Astana Pro Team, Bahrain-Merida, Bora-Hansgrohe, CCC Team, Deceuninck-Quick-Step, EF Education First, Groupama-FDJ, Team Ineos, Jumbo-Visma, Katusha-Alpecin, Lotto Soudal, Movistar Team, Mitchelton-Scott, Team Sunweb, Trek-Segafredo, Team Dimension Data, and UAE Team Emirates.[14] Each team selected an eight-rider lineup, resulting in 144 riders from these elite squads competing across the 21 stages.[10] These teams brought a mix of Grand Tour contenders, stage hunters, and support riders, with objectives centered on general classification (GC) challenges, sprint victories, and breakaway successes tailored to the Vuelta's demanding route featuring 59 categorized climbs. AG2R La Mondiale focused on stage hunting and developing young talent, led by Pierre Latour as their primary GC option after a solid Tour de l'Avenir performance, supported by riders like Clément Chevrier and Geoffrey Bouchard for mountain breaks.[15] Astana Pro Team aimed for GC podium potential with Miguel Ángel López, the 2018 Vuelta third-place finisher, alongside Jakob Fuglsang for dual leadership and Ion Izagirre for climbing support in their eight-man roster including Dario Cataldo.[15] Bahrain-Merida targeted opportunistic stage wins without a dedicated GC leader, relying on Dylan Teuns' punchy abilities and Mark Padun's emerging talent, with Pello Bilbao providing versatile support.[15] Bora-Hansgrohe prioritized sprint stages for Sam Bennett while eyeing mountain opportunities with Rafał Majka, backed by climbers like Jay McCarthy and Davide Ballerini to control early races.[15] CCC Team sought breakaway successes with Patrick Bevin and Gregor Mühlberger as key figures, lacking a top GC threat but aiming to capitalize on undulating terrain with riders like Fran Ventoso.[15] Team Dimension Data targeted stage wins in sprints and hilly stages with Mark Cavendish, Giacomo Nizzolo, and Edvald Boasson Hagen, while climbers Louis Meintjes and Ben O'Connor aimed for GC contention and mountain breaks.[16] Deceuninck-Quick-Step pursued sprint and transition stage wins with Fabio Jakobsen and Philippe Gilbert, leveraging their strong team time trial prowess and riders like Maximilian Schachmann for all-round contributions.[15] EF Education First built a balanced squad around GC veterans Rigoberto Urán and Tejay van Garderen, complemented by young climbers Sergio Higuita and Daniel Martínez to challenge on key ascents.[15] Groupama-FDJ aimed for stage hunts post-Thibaut Pinot's absence, with William Martin and Stefan Küng leading efforts in breaks and time trials, focusing on riders like Quentin Jauregui for youth development.[15] Team Ineos targeted controlled performances with Tao Geoghegan Hart as a GC prospect and Wout Poels for experience, supported by Pavel Sivakov and Diego Rubio to build depth without major stars.[17] Jumbo-Visma centered their campaign on GC victory with Primož Roglič, the 2018 runner-up, assisted by Steven Kruijswijk and Sepp Kuss for mountain dominance in a strong climbing lineup.[15] Katusha-Alpecin sought survival and minor results without Ilnur Zakarin, relying on José Joaquín Rojas for points and Diego Rubio for breakaways, amid team uncertainties.[15] Lotto Soudal focused on breakaways and sprints with Thomas De Gendt, Tim Wellens, and Caleb Ewan, using John Degenkolb's experience to target flat and hilly stages.[15] Movistar Team deployed a powerful trident of Alejandro Valverde, Nairo Quintana, and Richard Carapaz for GC contention, with Marc Soler and Landa providing support in their bid for overall success.[18] Mitchelton-Scott aimed for GC and stage wins with Esteban Chaves and Jack Haig, leveraging Mikel Nieve's climbing expertise and Luka Mezgec for sprint lead-outs.[15] Team Sunweb positioned Wilco Kelderman as GC leader without Tom Dumoulin, supported by Nikias Arndt for sprints and Robert Power for mountains, seeking redemption after a tough season.[19] Trek-Segafredo targeted GC with Bauke Mollema and Richie Porte, while John Degenkolb hunted sprints, with Antonio Pedrero aiding in hilly terrain.[15] UAE Team Emirates built around Tadej Pogačar for youth and GC potential alongside Fabio Aru, with Fernando Gaviria leading sprints and support from riders like Sven Erik Bystrøm.[15]UCI Professional Continental teams
In addition to the 18 automatically invited UCI WorldTeams, the organizers of the 2019 Vuelta a España awarded four wildcards to UCI Professional Continental teams, selected from the 25 registered UCI Professional Continental squads to promote Spanish cycling, ensure regional representation, and maintain competitive balance in the peloton.[20][14] The invited teams were Burgos-BH (Spain), Euskadi Basque Country–Murias (Spain), Cofidis, Solutions Crédits (France), and Caja Rural-Seguros RGA (Spain).[14] These squads each fielded eight riders, contributing a total of 32 participants to the race's 176-rider startlist.[10][14] Unlike the WorldTeams focused on general classification contention, these Professional Continental outfits primarily targeted stage victories via aggressive breakaways and opportunistic attacks on hilly terrain, while emphasizing Spanish riders to boost national and regional visibility—particularly Euskadi Basque Country–Murias, with its strong ties to Basque cycling heritage.[21] Key riders included Ángel Madrazo of Burgos-BH, a mountain specialist who secured a stage win on the Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre summit finish.[22] Riders from these teams, such as Madrazo on stage 5, contributed to the race's diversity through breakout performances.[22]Pre-race favourites
General classification contenders
The 2019 Vuelta a España featured a route with eight summit finishes and a demanding 36.1 km individual time trial on stage 10, favoring all-round climbers capable of strong time trialing while punishing pure specialists.[23] Post-Tour de France fatigue affected several contenders who had raced the July Grand Tour, potentially impacting their freshness for the late-August start.[23] Pre-race favorites included experienced Grand Tour winners and emerging talents, with Jumbo–Visma's Primož Roglič emerging as the top pick due to his consistent performances earlier in the season.[24] Primož Roglič entered as the leading favorite for the general classification, buoyed by victories in the UAE Tour, Tirreno–Adriatico, and Tour de Romandie, followed by a third-place finish at the Giro d'Italia where he demonstrated prowess in both climbing and time trials.[25] His previous Vuelta result—a fourth place in 2018—highlighted his growing threat in the Spanish Grand Tour, with Jumbo–Visma's strategy centered on leveraging his balanced skills to target the red jersey.[25] At 28 years old, Roglič aimed to secure his first Grand Tour victory on a route that aligned with his strengths in punchy ascents and against-the-clock efforts.[24] Alejandro Valverde, at 39, brought unparalleled Vuelta pedigree as a co-leader for Movistar Team, having won the race outright in 2009 and claimed multiple podiums, including third in 2018.[24] His recent world road race championship title in September 2018 underscored his enduring form and tactical acumen on home soil.[24] Movistar's dual-leadership approach with Quintana positioned Valverde to capitalize on the race's mountainous profile, focusing on aggressive moves in the high mountains to offset any time trial deficits.[24] Nairo Quintana, Movistar's other GC anchor and the 2016 Vuelta winner, was eyed for a strong comeback after a season marred by recovery from prior surgeries and a modest eighth place at the 2019 Tour de France, where he still secured a mountain stage victory.[25] At 29, his climbing pedigree—bolstered by second place at Paris–Nice—made him a prime candidate for the summit finishes, though post-Tour recovery was a key concern in his strategy to reclaim the red jersey alongside Valverde.[24] Jakob Fuglsang led Astana's GC ambitions at 34, arriving with solid early-season wins at Liège–Bastogne–Liège, Critérium du Dauphiné, and Vuelta a Andalucía, but his Tour de France campaign ended abruptly in a stage 7 crash, leaving him to rebuild form for his Vuelta return.[25] Lacking prior Vuelta podiums, Fuglsang's all-round abilities and the team's climbing depth, including López, positioned him to target the race's steep, irregular climbs while managing fatigue from his interrupted Grand Tour schedule.[24] Miguel Ángel López, the 25-year-old Colombian climber for Astana, built on his third-place finish in the 2018 Vuelta with a seventh at the 2019 Giro d'Italia and a victory at Vuelta a Catalunya, marking him as a rising threat in multi-week races.[25] His strategy emphasized explosive attacks on the short, steep ascents suited to his style, supported by Fuglsang, though his 18th place at the Tour de France introduced some uncertainty regarding peak condition.[24] Tadej Pogačar, making his Grand Tour debut at just 20 for UAE Team Emirates, entered as a dark horse with promising results like second overall at the Tour de Suisse and a dominant Tour de l'Avenir title in 2018, showcasing precocious climbing talent.[25] Without prior Vuelta experience, his youth and fresher legs—having skipped the Tour de France—aligned with the route's demands for agile puncheurs, positioning him as a potential surprise in the mountains despite his outsider status.[24]Points, mountains, and youth contenders
The points classification, awarded to the rider accumulating the most points from intermediate sprints and stage finishes, featured a strong field of sprinters eyeing the seven flat stages suited to bunch finishes. Sam Bennett of Bora–Hansgrohe entered as a leading favorite after securing three stage wins at the BinckBank Tour earlier that month, positioning him to capitalize on his first Grand Tour opportunity in three years.[15] Fabio Jakobsen of Deceuninck–Quick-Step was another key contender, with his status as Dutch national road race champion and strong form in lead-out trains making him a threat in pure sprint finales.[15] Pascal Ackermann, also from Bora–Hansgrohe, added depth to the German team's sprint options, building on his earlier Grand Tour successes that year.[26] For the mountains classification, which rewards points collected at categorized climbs, aggressive breakaway specialists were expected to vie for the polka-dot jersey amid the race's demanding terrain of eight summit finishes. Geoffrey Bouchard of AG2R La Mondiale, on his Grand Tour debut, showed breakout potential through his climbing aggression in prior races, targeting opportunities in the breakaways to challenge for mountain points.[26] Pierre Latour of AG2R La Mondiale emerged as a notable contender, leveraging his experience as the 2018 Tour de France best young rider and his tendency to feature prominently in mountain escapes.[23] The youth classification, introduced in 2019 for riders under 25 and based on general classification standings, highlighted emerging talents with dual ambitions. Tadej Pogačar of UAE Team Emirates stood out as the top under-25 hopeful, entering his professional debut Grand Tour after winning the Tour of California and ranking among the bookmakers' top-10 overall favorites at 28/1 odds.[26][27] Egan Bernal of Ineos, the recent Tour de France winner, was absent from the Vuelta lineup due to recovery priorities, minimizing his emphasis on the event.[26] Pogačar, in particular, represented a dual threat, blending youth classification prospects with broader general classification aspirations.Route and stages
Route overview
The 2019 Vuelta a España followed a demanding path across Spain, with a brief international extension. The race commenced on the southeast coast at Salinas de Torrevieja with a team time trial, traversing the Costa Blanca region before progressing northward through Valencia, Aragon, Catalonia, and into the Pyrenees bordering Andorra. It included a short incursion into France during stage 11, then looped back through the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, and Castile and León, culminating in a traditional procession into Madrid. This 3,290.7-kilometer itinerary emphasized Spain's diverse landscapes, from coastal plains to rugged northern highlands.[2][28] The terrain profile was predominantly challenging, featuring two time trials—a 13.4-kilometer team time trial at the outset and a 36.2-kilometer individual time trial in the second week—alongside six flat stages conducive to bunch sprints, six hilly stages with undulating profiles, and seven mountain stages. Notable ascents included the Alto de la Cubilla and the Montes de Riaño, contributing to a total of 59 categorized climbs throughout the route. The route incorporated eight summit finishes, including two in hilly stages and six in mountain stages. This composition favored puncheurs and climbers, with the flat and hilly stages providing opportunities for intermediate sprints while the mountainous sectors tested endurance on steep gradients.[29][8] Organizers designed the route to suit climbers, concentrating much of the decisive climbing in the latter stages to disrupt the general classification after the Tour de France and reward riders recovering from earlier Grand Tours. Five of the summit finishes were new to the Vuelta, adding unpredictability and intensity, particularly in the northern mountains during weeks two and three. This strategic layout aimed to create dynamic racing, with early flat and hilly terrain allowing sprinters to vie for points before the high-altitude battles intensified.[23][2]Stage listings and winners
The 2019 Vuelta a España comprised 21 stages covering a total distance of 3,290.7 km from 24 August to 15 September.[5] The following table lists each stage, including route, distance, type, and winner.[28][30]| Stage | Date | Route | Distance (km) | Type | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24 Aug | Salinas de Torrevieja to Torrevieja | 13.4 | Team time trial | Astana Pro Team |
| 2 | 25 Aug | Benidorm to Calpe | 199.6 | Hilly | Nairo Quintana (Colombia, Movistar Team) |
| 3 | 26 Aug | Ibi to Alicante | 188.0 | Flat | Sam Bennett (Ireland, Bora–Hansgrohe) |
| 4 | 27 Aug | Cullera to El Puig | 175.5 | Flat | Fabio Jakobsen (Netherlands, Deceuninck–Quick-Step) |
| 5 | 28 Aug | L'Eliana to Javalambre Observatory | 170.7 | Mountain (summit finish) | Ángel Madrazo (Spain, Burgos-BH) |
| 6 | 29 Aug | Mora de Rubielos to Ares del Maestrat | 198.9 | Hilly (summit finish) | Jesús Herrada (Spain, Cofidis) |
| 7 | 30 Aug | Onda to Mas de la Costa | 183.2 | Mountain (summit finish) | Alejandro Valverde (Spain, Movistar Team) |
| 8 | 31 Aug | Valls to Igualada | 166.9 | Flat | Nikias Arndt (Germany, Team Sunweb) |
| 9 | 1 Sep | Andorra la Vella to Cortals d'Encamp | 94.4 | Mountain (key climbs: Collada de Beixalís, Coll de la Gallina) | Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia, UAE Team Emirates) |
| 10 | 3 Sep | Jurançon to Pau | 36.2 | Individual time trial | Primož Roglič (Slovenia, Team Jumbo–Visma) |
| 11 | 4 Sep | Saint-Palais to Urdax | 180.0 | Hilly | Mikel Iturria (Spain, Euskadi Basque Country–Murias) |
| 12 | 5 Sep | Circuito de Navarra to Bilbao | 171.4 | Hilly | Philippe Gilbert (Belgium, Deceuninck–Quick-Step) |
| 13 | 6 Sep | Bilbao to Los Machucos | 166.4 | Mountain (summit finish at Los Machucos) | Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia, UAE Team Emirates), 1:37 ahead of GC group |
| 14 | 7 Sep | San Vicente de la Barquera to Oviedo | 188.0 | Flat | Sam Bennett (Ireland, Bora–Hansgrohe) |
| 15 | 8 Sep | Tineo to Santuario del Acebo | 154.4 | Mountain (key climbs: Vega de Brañagallones, Santuario del Acebo) | Sepp Kuss (United States, Team Jumbo–Visma) |
| 16 | 9 Sep | Pravia to Alto de la Cubilla | 144.4 | Mountain (summit finish at Alto de la Cubilla) | Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark, Astana Pro Team) |
| 17 | 11 Sep | Aranda de Duero to Guadalajara | 219.6 | Flat | Philippe Gilbert (Belgium, Deceuninck–Quick-Step) |
| 18 | 12 Sep | Colmenar Viejo to Becerril de la Sierra | 177.5 | Mountain (key climbs: La Morcuera) | Sergio Higuita (Colombia, EF Education First) |
| 19 | 13 Sep | Ávila to Toledo | 165.2 | Flat | Rémi Cavagna (France, Deceuninck–Quick-Step) |
| 20 | 14 Sep | Arenas de San Pedro to Plataforma de Gredos | 190.4 | Mountain (summit finish at Plataforma de Gredos) | Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia, UAE Team Emirates), 1:38 ahead of nearest rival |
| 21 | 15 Sep | Fuenlabrada to Madrid | 106.6 | Flat | Fabio Jakobsen (Netherlands, Deceuninck–Quick-Step) |
Race development
Classification leadership changes
The 2019 Vuelta a España featured dynamic shifts in the leadership of the various classifications during the early stages, particularly in the general classification (GC), where breakaways and aggressive riding led to multiple changes before stabilizing in the second half of the race. The points classification saw initial dominance by sprinters, transitioning to GC contenders mid-race. The mountains classification experienced turnover among breakaway specialists in the first week, with a more settled leader emerging later. The youth classification (for riders under 26), which received its dedicated white jersey in 2019, was contested primarily between two young climbers. The team classification shifted to a powerhouse squad early and remained stable thereafter. These changes highlighted the race's unpredictable nature in its opening phase, influenced by the route's mix of flat, hilly, and mountainous terrain.[5] Key leadership transitions occurred as follows: In the GC, Astana Pro Team's Miguel Ángel López claimed the red jersey after the stage 1 team time trial, but Nicolas Roche (Team Sunweb) took it on stage 2 following Nairo Quintana's (Movistar Team) uphill finish. López reclaimed it on stage 5, only for Dylan Teuns (Bahrain-Merida) to seize it via breakaway on stage 6; López regained it the next day after Alejandro Valverde's (Movistar Team) stage 7 victory. Nicolas Edet (Cofidis, Solutions Crédits) briefly led after stage 8's break, but Quintana assumed the jersey on stage 9's queen stage to Andorra. Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) then dominated from the stage 10 individual time trial onward, defending it through the remaining 11 stages despite challenges on key ascents.[5][32] The points classification (green jersey) started with Quintana after stage 2, but Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe) overtook him on stage 4 amid flat sprint opportunities. Quintana briefly regained it on stage 7, but Roglič captured and retained it from stage 10, accumulating points through consistent top finishes and bonuses to secure the final victory by a narrow margin over Bennett.[5] For the mountains classification (polka-dot jersey), Ángel Madrazo (Burgos-BH) dominated the early hilly stages, leading from stage 2 through stage 15 by targeting KOM sprints in breakaways. Geoffrey Bouchard (AG2R La Mondiale) then took over on stage 16's summit finish at Alto de la Cubilla, defending it successfully in the final week to claim the title.[5][33][34] The youth classification leadership oscillated between López and Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates), with López holding it from the start until Pogačar assumed it on stage 13's climb to Los Machucos. López recaptured it on stage 18 after a strong performance, but Pogačar reclaimed and held it from stage 20 to the finish, winning overall.[5][35] Movistar Team took the team classification on stage 5 and maintained the lead through consistent placings by Quintana and Valverde, clinching the category at the end.[5]| Stage | General Classification | Points Classification | Mountains Classification | Youth Classification | Team Classification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (TTT) | Miguel Ángel López (Astana Pro Team) | - | - | Miguel Ángel López (Astana Pro Team) | Astana Pro Team |
| 2 | Nicolas Roche (Team Sunweb) | Nairo Quintana (Movistar Team) | Ángel Madrazo (Burgos-BH) | Miguel Ángel López (Astana Pro Team) | Team Sunweb |
| 3 | Nicolas Roche (Team Sunweb) | Nairo Quintana (Movistar Team) | Ángel Madrazo (Burgos-BH) | Miguel Ángel López (Astana Pro Team) | Team Sunweb |
| 4 | Nicolas Roche (Team Sunweb) | Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe) | Ángel Madrazo (Burgos-BH) | Miguel Ángel López (Astana Pro Team) | Team Sunweb |
| 5 | Miguel Ángel López (Astana Pro Team) | Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe) | Ángel Madrazo (Burgos-BH) | Miguel Ángel López (Astana Pro Team) | Movistar Team |
| 6 | Dylan Teuns (Bahrain-Merida) | Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe) | Ángel Madrazo (Burgos-BH) | Miguel Ángel López (Astana Pro Team) | Movistar Team |
| 7 | Miguel Ángel López (Astana Pro Team) | Nairo Quintana (Movistar Team) | Ángel Madrazo (Burgos-BH) | Miguel Ángel López (Astana Pro Team) | Movistar Team |
| 8 | Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) | Nairo Quintana (Movistar Team) | Ángel Madrazo (Burgos-BH) | Miguel Ángel López (Astana Pro Team) | Movistar Team |
| 9 | Nairo Quintana (Movistar Team) | Nairo Quintana (Movistar Team) | Ángel Madrazo (Burgos-BH) | Miguel Ángel López (Astana Pro Team) | Movistar Team |
| 10 (ITT) | Primož Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) | Primož Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) | Ángel Madrazo (Burgos-BH) | Miguel Ángel López (Astana Pro Team) | Movistar Team |
| 11 | Primož Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) | Primož Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) | Ángel Madrazo (Burgos-BH) | Miguel Ángel López (Astana Pro Team) | Movistar Team |
| 12 | Primož Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) | Primož Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) | Ángel Madrazo (Burgos-BH) | Miguel Ángel López (Astana Pro Team) | Movistar Team |
| 13 | Primož Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) | Primož Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) | Ángel Madrazo (Burgos-BH) | Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) | Movistar Team |
| 14 | Primož Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) | Primož Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) | Ángel Madrazo (Burgos-BH) | Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) | Movistar Team |
| 15 | Primož Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) | Primož Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) | Ángel Madrazo (Burgos-BH) | Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) | Movistar Team |
| 16 | Primož Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) | Primož Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) | Geoffrey Bouchard (AG2R La Mondiale) | Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) | Movistar Team |
| 17 | Primož Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) | Primož Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) | Geoffrey Bouchard (AG2R La Mondiale) | Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) | Movistar Team |
| 18 | Primož Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) | Primož Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) | Geoffrey Bouchard (AG2R La Mondiale) | Miguel Ángel López (Astana Pro Team) | Movistar Team |
| 19 | Primož Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) | Primož Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) | Geoffrey Bouchard (AG2R La Mondiale) | Miguel Ángel López (Astana Pro Team) | Movistar Team |
| 20 | Primož Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) | Primož Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) | Geoffrey Bouchard (AG2R La Mondiale) | Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) | Movistar Team |
| 21 | Primož Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) | Primož Roglič (Team Jumbo-Visma) | Geoffrey Bouchard (AG2R La Mondiale) | Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) | Movistar Team |
Notable events and achievements
Primož Roglič's victory marked a historic milestone as the first Slovenian rider to win a Grand Tour, securing the general classification by a margin of 2 minutes and 51 seconds ahead of Alejandro Valverde.[36] Roglič demonstrated dominance throughout the race, clinching the individual time trial on stage 10 in Pau, which propelled him into the red jersey, and maintaining the lead despite challenges such as a crash on stage 19 where he received neutral assistance from race officials, prompting accusations of favoritism from Movistar Team.[37][38] His performance underscored Jumbo-Visma's strong team support, highlighted by Sepp Kuss's breakthrough stage 15 victory on the summit finish at Santuario del Acebo, the American's first Grand Tour win that further solidified Roglič's position.[39] Tadej Pogačar emerged as a breakout star on his Grand Tour debut at age 20, capturing three mountain stages—9 at Els Cortals d'Encamp, 13 at Los Machucos, and 20 at Plataforma de Gredos—with aggressive solo attacks that propelled him to third overall and the white jersey for best young rider.[7][40] His achievements included becoming one of only three riders under 21 to win a hat-trick of stages in a single Grand Tour, and he finished as one of the youngest podium placers in the event's history.[41][42] Alejandro Valverde, at 39, added to his legacy with a powerful stage 7 summit win at Mas de la Costa, marking him as the oldest stage victor in Vuelta history and briefly positioning him as a GC contender before settling for second overall.[32][43] In contrast, Nairo Quintana started strongly with an early stage 2 victory in Calpe but faded in the mountains, dropping out of contention for the podium after losing time in key ascents.[44] The race proceeded without major doping scandals or controversies, maintaining a clean profile amid UCI anti-doping protocols. Minor incidents included crashes, such as one on stage 7 that forced riders like Nicolas Roche to abandon due to slippery conditions on descents.[45] Pogačar's feats also set records for the most mountain stages won by a youth rider in a single Vuelta edition.Final standings
General classification
The general classification of the 2019 Vuelta a España was won by Primož Roglič of Team Jumbo–Visma, who completed the race in a total time of 83 hours, 7 minutes, and 14 seconds.[46] Alejandro Valverde of Movistar Team finished second, 2 minutes and 33 seconds behind Roglič, while Tadej Pogačar of UAE Team Emirates took third place, 2 minutes and 55 seconds back.[46] Roglič and Valverde entered the race as leading favorites for the overall victory, whereas Pogačar, on his Grand Tour debut at age 20, rose unexpectedly to the podium.[47] The top 10 in the general classification were as follows:| Rank | Rider | Team | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primož Roglič | Team Jumbo–Visma | 83h 07' 14" | — |
| 2 | Alejandro Valverde | Movistar Team | 83h 09' 47" | +2' 33" |
| 3 | Tadej Pogačar | UAE Team Emirates | 83h 10' 09" | +2' 55" |
| 4 | Nairo Quintana | Movistar Team | 83h 11' 00" | +3' 46" |
| 5 | Miguel Ángel López | Astana Pro Team | 83h 12' 02" | +4' 48" |
| 6 | Rafał Majka | BORA–hansgrohe | 83h 14' 47" | +7' 33" |
| 7 | Wilco Kelderman | Team Sunweb | 83h 17' 18" | +10' 04" |
| 8 | Carl Fredrik Hagen | Lotto Soudal | 83h 20' 08" | +12' 54" |
| 9 | Marc Soler | Movistar Team | 83h 29' 41" | +22' 27" |
| 10 | Mikel Nieve | Mitchelton–Scott | 83h 29' 48" | +22' 34" |
Points classification
The points classification in the 2019 Vuelta a España, denoted by the green jersey (sponsor: Škoda), rewarded riders for their performances in stage finishes and intermediate sprints, with points allocated on a descending scale depending on stage type—typically 50 points for a flat stage win, 25 for hilly or summit finishes, and smaller bonuses at intermediate points (e.g., 10-3 points for top three). This system emphasized consistent speed across varied terrain, but the route's 12 mountain stages and only three flat opportunities shifted dynamics toward general classification (GC) contenders who excelled in intermediate sprints and high-placing finishes on punchy or uphill endings, rather than pure sprinters dominating bunch sprints.[36] Slovenian rider Primož Roglič of Team Jumbo–Visma claimed the classification with 155 points, securing the green jersey alongside his overall race victory—a rare double achieved through strategic positioning for intermediate sprint bonuses (worth up to 10 points each) and multiple podium finishes on summit stages, where points mirrored GC efforts.[36][6] His approach highlighted the 2019 edition's sprint dynamics, where GC leaders like Roglič amassed points via consistent top-five stage results (nine in total) without relying on flat-stage victories, contrasting the traditional sprinter focus seen in prior Vueltas.[36] Irish sprinter Sam Bennett of BORA–hansgrohe finished second with 134 points, earning his tally primarily from two flat-stage wins (stages 3 and 14, each worth 50 points) and several intermediate bonuses, but the scarcity of pure sprint opportunities limited his total against mountain-savvy rivals.[36][52] This outcome underscored the race's hybrid nature, where sprinters like Bennett captured high-value flat finishes but were outpaced overall by versatile all-rounders benefiting from the route's 4,500+ km of undulating terrain.[36] The full top 10 in the final points classification was as follows:| Pos. | Rider | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primož Roglič (SLO) | Team Jumbo–Visma | 155 |
| 2 | Tadej Pogačar (SLO) | UAE Team Emirates | 136 |
| 3 | Sam Bennett (IRL) | BORA–hansgrohe | 134 |
| 4 | Alejandro Valverde (ESP) | Movistar Team | 132 |
| 5 | Nairo Quintana (COL) | Movistar Team | 100 |
| 6 | Miguel Ángel López (COL) | Astana Pro Team | 76 |
| 7 | Philippe Gilbert (BEL) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | 73 |
| 8 | Dylan Teuns (BEL) | Bahrain–Merida | 69 |
| 9 | Tosh Van der Sande (BEL) | Lotto Soudal | 63 |
| 10 | Sergio Higuita (COL) | EF Education First | 62 |
Mountains classification
The mountains classification, also known as the King of the Mountains competition, awarded points to riders based on their performance over categorized climbs throughout the 2019 Vuelta a España. Points were distributed according to the difficulty of each ascent, with higher categories like hors catégorie (HC) and category 1 offering the most rewards—up to 20 points for first place on an HC summit finish. The classification emphasized breakaways and aggressive climbing, particularly on the race's eight summit finishes, which provided key opportunities to accumulate points.[31] French rider Geoffrey Bouchard of AG2R La Mondiale claimed the polka-dot jersey as the overall winner with 76 points, marking a breakthrough performance on his Grand Tour debut. Bouchard secured points through consistent attacks in breakaways, notably targeting mid-race mountain stages to build an insurmountable lead. His strategy capitalized on the route's demanding Andalusian and Asturian climbs, where he often crested key ascents ahead of the peloton.[33][53] The final top 10 standings in the mountains classification were as follows:| Rank | Rider | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Geoffrey Bouchard | AG2R La Mondiale | 76 |
| 2 | Ángel Madrazo | Burgos-BH | 44 |
| 3 | Sergio Samitier | Euskadi Basque Country-Murias | 42 |
| 4 | Tadej Pogačar | UAE Team Emirates | 38 |
| 5 | Tao Geoghegan Hart | Team Ineos | 35 |
| 6 | Wouter Poels | Team Ineos | 31 |
| 7 | Alejandro Valverde | Movistar Team | 29 |
| 8 | Sergio Luis Henao | Team Ineos | 27 |
| 9 | Jakob Fuglsang | Astana Pro Team | 24 |
| 10 | Mikel Bizkarra | Euskadi Basque Country-Murias | 22 |
Young rider classification
The young rider classification in the 2019 Vuelta a España, marked by the white jersey, was introduced that year and awarded to the best-placed competitor in the general classification among riders born on or after 1 January 1994 (under 26 years old at the race's start).[55] This secondary competition underscored the event's role in showcasing emerging talent, with a relatively small cohort of eligible riders—fewer than 50 starters—competing amid the race's demanding terrain.[10] The classification followed the same time-based scoring as the general classification, emphasizing endurance and climbing prowess among the youth.[3] Slovenian rider Tadej Pogačar of UAE Team Emirates claimed the white jersey with a commanding performance, finishing third in the overall general classification just 2:55 behind winner Primož Roglič.[3] At 20 years old, Pogačar became one of the youngest riders to podium a Grand Tour, a feat not matched since the late 1960s, while securing three mountain stage victories in his debut appearance.[42] His aggressive racing, including a decisive attack on stage 20 to Alto de la Cubilla, propelled him up the standings and highlighted his potential as a future star.[41] The final young rider standings reflected Pogačar's dominance among eligible riders. Colombian Miguel Ángel López of Astana Pro Team took second, 1:53 behind Pogačar, after leading the classification midway through the race.[56] Briton James Knox of Deceuninck–Quick-Step rounded out the podium in third, 19:59 back.[3]| Rank | Rider | Team | Time Gap to White Jersey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tadej Pogačar (SLO) | UAE Team Emirates | — |
| 2 | Miguel Ángel López (COL) | Astana Pro Team | +1' 53" |
| 3 | James Knox (GBR) | Deceuninck–Quick-Step | +19' 59" |
| 4 | Sergio Higuita (COL) | EF Education First | +29' 22" |
| 5 | Rúben Guerreiro (POR) | Katusha–Alpecin | +39' 10" |
| 6 | Tao Geoghegan Hart (GBR) | Team Ineos | +1h 01' 26" |
| 7 | Óscar Rodríguez (ESP) | Euskadi Basque Country–Murias | +1h 10' 19" |
| 8 | Ben O'Connor (AUS) | Dimension Data | +1h 22' 58" |
| 9 | Daniel Felipe Martínez (COL) | EF Education First | +1h 25' 11" |
| 10 | Aleksandr Vlasov (RUS) | Astana Pro Team | +1h 37' 45" |
Team classification
The team classification at the 2019 Vuelta a España was calculated by summing the finishing times of each team's three best-placed riders on every stage, including the team time trial, to determine the collective performance over the 21 stages covering 3,290.7 kilometres.[36] Movistar Team secured the victory with a total time of 248 hours, 26 minutes, and 24 seconds, showcasing their squad depth through consistent contributions from leaders Alejandro Valverde and Nairo Quintana, alongside support from riders like Marc Soler, even amid challenges such as Quintana's time losses on key mountain stages.[36][57] The top five teams were closely contested, with Astana Pro Team finishing second, 51 minutes and 38 seconds behind, followed by Team Jumbo–Visma in third at 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 33 seconds back, Mitchelton–Scott fourth at 2 hours, 26 minutes, and 47 seconds, and AG2R La Mondiale fifth at 3 hours, 14 minutes, and 43 seconds.[36] The full top 10 teams in the classification were:| Pos. | Team | Time Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Movistar Team | — |
| 2 | Astana Pro Team | + 0h 51' 38" |
| 3 | Team Jumbo–Visma | + 2h 04' 33" |
| 4 | Mitchelton–Scott | + 2h 26' 47" |
| 5 | AG2R La Mondiale | + 3h 14' 43" |
| 6 | Team Sunweb | + 3h 20' 18" |
| 7 | Euskadi Basque Country–Murias | + 3h 39' 09" |
| 8 | Bahrain–Merida | + 3h 45' 14" |
| 9 | Dimension Data | + 3h 56' 09" |
| 10 | Team Ineos | + 4h 01' 02" |